Alex Merutka

Craftsman+

We built CRAFTSMAN+ to solve a very real, very overlooked problem: creative at scale.

Performance marketing doesn’t fail from bad media buying, it fails from stale creative. CRAFTSMAN+ is a creative tech company engineered to close that gap. We developed a proprietary content engine that automates high-impact, data-backed playable and interactive ads. Built for speed, scale, and measurable performance.

Our platform helps top mobile brands (and their growth teams) scale creative output across channels like Meta, Google, TikTok, and programmatic, without sacrificing quality or insights.

Partners include category leaders in gaming, fintech, and commerce. Deloitte Fast 500 (#330), Inc. 5000, and trusted by the best because we don’t just make ads—we make performance scale.

CEO | Founder

Node Ventures

Node Ventures backs early-stage companies where we can be a growth weapon, not just a check.

We specialize in companies where digital marketing is the unlock. With deep operating experience across user acquisition, creative automation, and adtech infrastructure, we help founders move faster, scale smarter, and build the systems that drive real traction.

Node isn’t a traditional VC, we're a strategic partner with execution DNA. If we invest, we’re in the trenches with you.

Founder

Node Media

Odin Stem Cells

Odin delivers regenerative stem cell treatments. Clinically backed, nationally scaled, and optimized for long-term health outcomes.

We’re building the future of regenerative medicine by making advanced stem cell therapy accessible across the U.S. Odin operates at the intersection of science, performance, and wellness. Helping patients repair, recover, and optimize from the inside out.

→ Nationwide delivery. Clinical precision. Life-changing results.

Chairman & Co-Founder

Member

Forbes

Forbes 30 under 30 

AppLovin

Strategic Consultant

Helped scale AppLovin from early-stage startup to $29B IPO—leading $2B+ in performance media across mobile, programmatic, and creative.

Joined as one of the first employees. Built and led the user acquisition and programmatic teams during a period of hypergrowth—managing global campaigns for top mobile titles and partners. Owned media strategy and creative performance at scale.

Played a critical role in AppLovin’s growth trajectory from Seed stage through its final private round (led by KKR), culminating in a $29B IPO.

→ Specialized in building systems that connect performance data with growth strategy—at billion-dollar scale.

Head of Programmatic

Director of Sales

Conversant (formerly Greystripe)

Acquired by Alliance Data Systems (ADS) for $2.3 billion in 2014. 

Provided digital media solutions ranging from desktop, mobile, cross-device, video, lead generation, and retargeting.

Account Executive

BrightEdge

Enterprise Business Representative

I build companies that move markets. Right now, that’s CRAFTSMAN+—a creative technology platform powering high-performance ads for the world’s biggest mobile brands.

We’re not just shipping more creatives—we’re rewriting how performance teams scale. Backed by partnerships with Meta, Google, and TikTok, we’ve engineered a platform that turns friction-heavy creative workflows into data-backed, scalable growth engines. It’s the reason we landed on Forbes 30 Under 30, Deloitte Fast 500 (#330), and Inc. 5000—and why top brands trust us to accelerate what actually moves the needle.

Before CRAFTSMAN+, I led user acquisition and programmatic at AppLovin—managing $2B+ in ad spend and helping scale the company from Seed to $29B IPO. I also founded Node Ventures, a startup studio backing breakout ideas with speed and unfair distribution.

Contributor to Bloomberg, Business Insider, and FoxNews. Member of YPO. Always building, always optimizing.

• Lead integrated marketing strategy for top sports franchises including PGAT 2K, WWE 2K, and LEGO 2K to enhance player experience and drive commercial success.
• Developed innovative marketing campaigns to engage millions of players worldwide and achieve strategic objectives.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to optimize marketing initiatives and deliver impactful results for 2K and Take Two.

Senior Director, Integrated Marketing Strategy - Sports 

Marketing with intent. Content and initiatives focused on increasing engagement, retention and monetization. 
Titles include: LEGO, PGA TOUR and WWE (plus more on the way!)

Director, Global Live Services Marketing, Sports

Scopely

Director, Community & VIP

Big Fish Games

Head of Player Marketing

King

Working closely with North American studio teams to support logistics for live and in production games.

Game Operations Project Manager, North American Studios

Responsible for King's end-to-end Midcore social media and community strategy.

Senior Social Media Manager

Hmmm, what am I passionate about? Aside of my 5 Star rating on UBER (okay it’s 4.9) it's all about the people! Not just any people, but the RIGHT people. As you can see from my career experiences I have been focused on team development and building community for nearly my entire career.

	After nearly a decade building communities and teams, I had an epiphany that I wanted to roll the dice and navigate my professional future towards creating positive professional relationships and Recruiting was it. While I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Community Development, I felt like the passion I have for the gaming industry and its amazing people could be better served by bringing them amazing opportunities.

So what kind of people do I like to meet? I love meeting great people so no one is off limits, but I tend to focus on Global Leadership roles in Design, Production, and Art Direction.

Want to know more? Want to work in London, Barcelona, Stockholm, Seattle, or San Francisco? Click the blue button above this box and ask.

Executive Sourcing Recruiter - Global Talent Acquisition

Accountable for the strategy and end-to-end delivery of King’s Resource Management community development and influencer outreach programs. This included responsibilities such as team building, hiring, training, team leadership, designing tech features, project management, community engagement, managing budgets, reporting, quality control, identification and selection of key community influencers.

Senior Manager, Community Development

Responsible for strategic vision and operational excellence of world-class Community Relations team to include both Customer Support and Community Management. During this time, we developed our community influencer outreach program which connected our most engaged players with our studio. From the ground up we built a world-class department responsible for providing support across multiple titles, community management, community outreach, official company communication, beta test programs, and organizing community contests and events.

Community Relations Manager

Apple

In this role I served as coach, mentor and leader to a team of diverse, creative individuals. I hired, trained, and developed an entire sales teams that immediately received and sustained the highest customer service scores in the Washington market.

Senior Manager

Primarily responsible for the development and success of operations team.

Operations Manger

Target

Executive Team Leader - Logistics

Executive Team Leader, Replenishment

US Army

-Worked as a shift supervisor for our signal detachment. My duties included: Maintaining and operating various satellite and switching communication systems, transporting equipment to Special Forces operations throughout the world, as well as terminating and processing numerous confidential and secret messages.
-Awards Received: The Good Conduct Medal, NATO Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Sierra Identifier 
-Received an Honorable Discharge from the US Army February 22, 2005

Communications Specialist (Airborne)

With over 15 years of experience in the gaming industry, I am a results-oriented, player-centric, and ROI-driven marketing leader who thrives by focusing on solutions, establishing new ideas and processes, and motivating teams to learn and grow. I am currently the Senior Director Integrated Marketing Strategy for 2K Sports, where I oversee Brand, Product, Social & Community marketing strategy and execution for some of the most popular and successful sports titles in the world, such as PGA TOUR 2K and WWE 2K.

In my previous roles, I have proven my track record of igniting change and innovation to create industry-leading teams and campaigns by analyzing consumer behavior, current trends, demographics, team capabilities, and competitor activity. I have also collaborated with global teams to inspire, motivate, and drive industry-leading strategy, while setting high standards to empower others to exceed goals and expectations. As a US Army veteran and a 2x Ironman, I bring a unique perspective and a strong work ethic to every challenge and opportunity I face.

taplio

The Battle

Alex Merutka

Eric Alayoubi

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